Bicycle construction



Nov. 9, 1943. L. E. DEMPSEY ETAL BICYCLE CONSTRUCTION original Filed Sept. 6

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Maren Nov. 9, 1943.

L. E. DEMPSEY EFAL BICYCLE CONSTRUCTION Original Filed Sept. 6', 1938 5 SheetsShe.et 2

r fizz/gators azunsnc'ef e222 zqrufaall 62.6251 fimmkr m Nov. 9, 1943. L. s. DEMFsEY ETAL BICYCLE CONSTRUCTION Original Filed Sept. 6, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet s Nov. 9, 1943.

LE. DEMPSEY E TAL 2,333,642

BICYCLE CONSTRUCTION I Original Filed fiept. 6, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 fzzvenaars tczwrzencefflem qy bu /shall Q6 a L. E. DEMPSEY ET'AL BICYCLE CONSTRUCTION Original Filed Sept. 6, 1938 Nov. 9, 1943.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventors Em/Fence oflezrpse 3.1 77Zamizau 61. 6M

1/4/ )nmd Patented Nov. 9, 1943 Blu, Riverside, Ill., assignors to Sears, Roebuck [and 00., Chicago, 111., a corporationof New York I 3 .OriginalappIication September c, 1938, Serial No. 228,502,, Divided and this application July 28,

- 1941; Serial No. 404,266

i Claims. (crest-cs1) This application is a division of our co-pending application Serial No. 223,502, filed Septemher 6, 1938, entitled Bicycle. construction, now Patent 2,280,801, issued April 28, 1942.

This invention relates to frame andassociated constructionfor bicycles and the like.

In the ensuing description and claims, the term bicycleis used for convenience as one type of conveyance to which theinvention is applicable, but that term is not to be regarded as one of limitation, since the invention is applicable to other velocipedes, motorcycles and the like, as will be apparent to anyone skilled in the art.

It is an object of our invention to provide an improved spring frame for a bicycle.

It is another object to .provide a bicycle in which welding andbrazing burs are shielded'from view, thereby eliminating the need for removing the burs.

A further object resides in the provision. of a.

shroud which is ornamental and-hides the juncture or junctures of connected parts.

It is another object to provide a full elliptical bicycle spring frame construction having its places of support atthe ends of the major axis of the ellipse.

Another object is to provide a frame ofthis character in which the load is spread and excessive strain due to breathing, twisting and other causes isobviated.-

It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved crank support. I I

A further object is to provide -a tank for supplies, the tank being so mounted that it takes substantially no load. I

Another object is to provide an improved seat support afiording a variety of generally vertical and horizontal adjustments for a bicycle seat.

An object of the invention is to provide a tubular bicycle frame structure wherein the upper, lower and rear fork reaches will comprise primarily a transversely weldless continuous tubular formation which eliminates the necessity for the inclusion of a central tube or bridge strut.

A further object is to mount fenders, a, tank and the like on a spring frame in-such man-.

ner that breathing. of the frame is not interferred with. I w Further objects and advantages ,of the inven--.

tion will appear as the description proceeds.

The invention will be understoodxmore readily upon reference to the following description and drawings (five sheets), sin.

the accompanying which;

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a bicycle frame constructed in accordance with one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the structure appearing in Fig. 1, certain parts being omitted for the sake of clarity; I

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary View partly in section and partlyin elevation, of a shroud such as that appearing in dash-dot lines in Fig. 1, and an associatedsteering post journal and spring frame structure; I I

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken as indicated by the-line 44 in Figs. 6 a d 8; i

Fig. 5 is a bottom' plan view takenas indicated by the line 55 inFigs. 3 and 4, the shroud being omitted;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan sectionelevation, taken as indicated by the line 6-6 in Fig. 3; I Y

Fig. 7 is a sectional-elevation taken as indicated bythe line l-- l' in each of Figs. 1 and 3, the shroud being omitted; I

. Fig. 8 is a section-elevation taken as indicated by the line 8-8 in Fig. 3, showing only the shroud; I

Fig. 9 isa fragmentary plan view of a modified steering post journaland. associated frame and 7 construction, taken as indicated by the line 9-9 inFig.10; I I

Fig. '10 is a reduced fragmentary side elevation of the structure appearing in Fig. 9;- Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as I indicated by the line I l+l I in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of a modified shroud incorporating an instrument panel;

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the structure appearing in Fig. 12; j V

Fig. 1 4 is a sectional view taken as indicated by the line M-hi in Fig. 13;

'Fig. 15 is a fragmentary sectional viewrtaken as indicatedsby the line 15-45 in each of Figs. 12 and 14;. r

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 15

but showing the lamp mounted on the shroud;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line ll-H in Figs.2and18;. .1

. Fig. 18' is a plan sectional View taken as indicated by the line |8-I8 in Figs. '1 and: 17; i

Fig. 19 is, an enlarged sectional view taken as indicated by the line Ill-I9 in Fig. 17; p

Fig. 20 is an enlargedsectional View taken-as indicated, by the line 20-20 in Fig. 17; II

Fig. 21 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line 2I2I in Fig. 1;

Fig. 22 shows the seat structure of Fig. 1 in a different adjustment; and

Fig. 23 is an enlarged sectional view taken as indicated by the line 23-23 in Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 to 7, there is provided in accordance with one form of the invention a pair of one-piece tubular spring frame members 30 of generally elliptical form disposed in general symmetrical relation on 'opposite sides of the median longitudinal plane of a bicycle, the ends 3| of each-spring being disposed in sockets 32 extending 'rearwardly from the steering post sleeve or journal 33. The ends 3| are suitably joined to said sockets as by welding or brazing 35.

tions 36 which may be joined by welding, if de- 3 sired, forming gusset portions 31 of considerable area and strength. The gusset may extend in a generally vertical plane dividing the sockets'into right and left pairs. The sockets are joined to the gusset by gusset arms 38 of-preferably'arch-like form. The gusseting thus serves to bracethe ends of the springs in relation to one another 'and-the sleeve and, in conjunction with'the socketsand the remainder of the sleeve, prevents e'xcessive strain of thesleeve-and-breathing of 'the springs at the forward endsthereof, vertically, laterally and torsionally, and distributes '-the load (were substantial area. Because of this guss'e'ting-and socket construction, 1 a journal I of :relatively 1 thin, light material may be employed. There isp'rovided accordinglya journal and frame coupling which combines lightness, economy, ruggedness and rigidity.

In order that the necessityfor grindingburs 01f may be obviated, as well' as to-provide'animproved appearance, the sleeve 33 and the connections between it and the frame springs -may be shie1ded' by a shroud in such manne'r, I preferably, that it takes no load. Theshroud'-is'-preferably formed by die casting 'but may be made of any suitable plastic, phenolic condensation product, sheet metal, papier mach or any other suitable material. It-may take va'rious forms-of which some examples are-included herein. I'he shroud shown at 40 maybe formedof three pieces comprising a top section 4|, a front anal-lower section 42 and an intervening rear section 43, as is clearlyseen in Fig. 3. The shroud may-be chromium plated or 'may have-any other suitable ornamental finish, andits sections joined-by any suitable means such asthescrews =45 engaged with suitably arranged cooperating lugs 'On the respective sections, the sections-4 I *and42'havi-ng a juncture at the line 41, the section's 4| and-i3 coming together at the line4-8and'the sections-42 and 43 coming together'at the lines 49. These sectionsmay be readily assembled and, a's isevident from the drawings, 'serve to fully-'s'hield' the sleeve 33, the spring frame ends 3| and 'allwelding or brazing burs at the junctures of'the sleeve and ends.

A modified post sleeve and spring frame .construction is shown in Figse9, l and 11. this structure, the sleeve may be formed of two sections comprising a pair of members said members having arcuat'e portions welded together'as at 53 to form a steering post' -sleeve. Fach member 5| has a pair of hollow rearvvardly 'extending upper branches or wings'54 anda pair-of hollow rearwardly extending lower "branches or wings 55, the several branches or wings being stamped. or pressed to tubular form and welded or brazed together along inwardly facing seams indicated by the dotted lines 51 and 59 in Fig. 10. To the several sleeves 54 and 55, the ends 66 of the tubular frame springs 68 are welded asat 69. I

Another form of shroud construction appears in Figs. 12 to 15, and comprises a top section I5 adapted to enclose the upper part of the front 'post sleeve 33 and two symmetrical lower sections I6, the top section being joined to the lower sec'tion'sbyany-suitable means such as the screws -18'andmeeting said lower sections along the lines 1 "19, and'the lower sections being joined together by any suitable means such as the screws BI and meeting .along the lines 82. The shroud affords sleeves83enclosing the upper sockets 32 of the front *p'oSt sleeve 33 and is formed to receive the upper forward portions of the frame springs back of the ends thereof, and said shroud provides a lower housing portion which encloses the lower sockets-32 of the post sleeve "33. The upper-section I5 ofthisshroud is of sunicient extent to house a speedometer, for example, horn-or other suitable equipment, in the'portion85thereof, and accordingly may have an opening 86 for the speedometer dial. 'I'he section '75 may be provided with suitable anchorages 8'I for fastening the speedometer or other instrument'in place, 'and may also-provide for the mounting of switchesa's at '8-8. ltwill' beunderstood that the'se'cti'on I5 may beof any suitableform to'accommodate such instruments and other apparatus :as may be desired.

The-sections '15 and 16 provide an opening 89 affording a frame 9|) in which-a hea'cllightdens 9| may =be mounted as by means or "the screws 92 Within the shroud a lamp arm be mounted in a-==suitable reflector 94 which may be pivotally adjusted at 95 on a strap 96 secured to the front post sleeve =33 as shoWnin FigJIS on secured to the shroud as by a bra'cket 96 Fig. 16, 01 mounted in any othersuitable mann'er.

The frame comprises an upper 'reach portion or backbone 91, an upper rear wheel fork -98, "a lower 'rea'ch portion 99 and a lower rear wheelfork I00.

A crank support embodying features of th'e invention appears in Figs. 1'7 and-20, a'n'd comprises a housing ltl formed of two complemental shells I35 and I36 which may be telescoped together-asat I31 and held in assembly as by screws I38 and associated brackets I39. The housing-has front and-rear openings I4'0 and HI, respectively, for the'passage of the intermediate portionsof the lower reaches 99 of the springs 3|). Bracing apart-and secured as'by welding l'42 to'-said"portions of the springs 'is a bracket I43 affording-a cradle I44 in which is secured "a bearing sleeve or journ'al I45 as by 'welding I 46. "The bracket l'4'3 has a channel I4'I depending betweenme reaches '99, and-in its-Web I 48 are bolt holes E M9 through which bolts- 1 50 :depen'd. The heads -Ii! I of said-bolts :may be held:from turnlng as bydugs I 52 which may-" bastruck from the' web I 48. -The bolts support 'a' housing or hanger I 53 i to which an offset arm I 54 :of a kick stand I55 may' -be adjustably pivot'ed' The arm' l 54f'carries a disc I56 which is pressed against an ear I51 of the hanger by a spring I58 :having an end inua-cup: |59:secured to the other iear I51, said tears extending through a hole IrG-Il in 313138 crank 'h'ousing "I34. The first ear 'I5I has 'ldepressions 118' land :-the disc has on'e or more. projections vI'ItI-engageabh selectively in certain of the depressions I6I to selectively and yieldably retain the stand I55 in ground-engaging position as shown in Figs. 1, 24 and 26 or in inoperative position as shown'in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

The journal I45 is arranged with its axi extending transversely of the, housing, the shells having openings I63 affording clearance for the passage therethrough of the movable bearing sleeve mechanism I63 (Fig. 1) associated; with the crank I64.

The cradle bracket I43 extends throughout a substantial distance along and is securely brazed or welded to the lower reaches 99 of the springs, so that the load is distributed along the frame and the torsional and other effects resulting from pedaling are effectively withstood.

The bracket I43 may have a dependent rear portion I65 to which the lower end I66 of a rear mud guard I61 may be anchored as at I68. The guard is preferably slotted at I69 to allow for lost motion when the spring frame breathes and to insure a good fitno twithstanding dimensional differences arising in manufacture.

A form of seat or saddle support embodying the invention is shown generally at I15 (Figs. 1, 21 and 22) and comprises upper and lower jaws I16 and I11 adapted to slidably receivethe portions I18 of the upper reach 91 of the frame, suitable means such as a bolt and nut I19 being employed to securely clamp the jaws in place. It will be noted that the associated parts I18 of said springs are parallel as seen in Fig. 2, so that the sections I16 and I11 may be slid longitudinally along said springs for a substantial distance, and, as pointed out, may be clamped in any desired position by the bolt and nut I19 or equivalent means.

The upper jaw I16 securely carrie an upstanding sleeve I82 adapted to receive an arm I83 of an angular post I84 on the other arm I85 of which a seat or saddle I86 may be clamped adjustably. The sleeve I82 has suitable clamping means I88 for adjustably securing the post I84 at various heights, and the seat I66, through its clamping means I90, is securely held in any position substantially throughout the length of the bracket arm I85. It is thus apparent that the seat I86 may be adjusted forwardly and rearwardly by virtue of the adjustment of the jaws I16, I11, along the spring portions I18 and of the similar relation between the seat clamp I90 and the post arm I35. It is also evident that by manipulation of the adjusting means I38 the seat may be disposed at different heights.

It will be noted that the arms of the post I84 are of unequal length. Instead of securing the arm I83 in the sleeve I82, the arm I85 may be secured therein and the arm I83 arranged to extend forwardly, substantially as shown in Fig. 22. With this arrangement, the range of vertical adjustments of the seat on the post is increased in relation to the range afforded in the arrangement shown in Fig. 1.

A gusset I 95 welded or otherwise suitably secured at the forward end of the upper rear fork 98, formed by the divergent rearwardly disposed upper portions of the springs 30, preferably has a dependent portion I96 to which the adjacent part of the rear wheel mud guard I61 is secured.

A tank 20-5 for tools and other equipment may be provided. The tank may take various forms. As illustrated, the tank m y comprise p mental shells 206 and 201 held in assembly and reinforced by brackets 208 and S w threads in the nuts.

may occupy any suitable location and, as shown, is conveniently supported by the forepart of the lower reach 99 of the frame and arear part of the upper reach 91.

The tank shells are arranged to rest on the upper sides of the bars 30 at the lower reach 99, and one of the shells may be tapped, or nuts ZII may be welded or brazed as at 2I2 togthe inner face .of one of the shells, such as the shell 206, said shells affording slots 2I3 in line with the Brackets 2 I 5.;embracing the lower sides of said bars have websjthro'ugh which bolts 2I1 extend upward into the nuts.

A bar 2I8 has a portion 2I9 extending a substantial distance forwardly within the tank through a hole in the rear of the tank and welded or brazed as at 220 to the shell 206. A bolt 22I extends up through the rear end 222 of the bar 2 I 8 and through a longitudinal slot 223 in the fork gusset I and into a nut 224 so as to anchor the bar to the frame while affording lost motion so that breathing of the spring frame will not be interfered with and the tank and bar will take no load. The slotted construction also is advantageous since the same tank unit is thereby attachable to frames or dilferent sizes. Moreover, di-

mensional diiferences arising in manufacture will not interfere with attachment of the tank units.

Upon removal of the screws 209 in the shell 201, the shell 201 may be removed to permit deposit and removal of articles relative to the tank. The shell 201 may be readily clamped in assembly with the shell 206 upon replacement of the removed screws, the slots 2I3 in the shell 201 clearing the shanks of the bolts.

The bight 225 of the front fork 226 may be secured as at 226 and shielded under the front fender 221, and welded, brazed or otherwise suitably united as at 228 to a steering post 230 which passes up through a hole 23I in the fender. A collar or cup 232 has a flange 233 which may be welded, brazed or secured by the means 226 to the underside of the fender and has a portion 234 projecting up through the hole and embracing the steering post. Thus the fender and collar conceals all burs or other unsightliness at the juncture of the bight 225 with the steering post 230, so that an improved appearance is obtained and metal finishing is not necessary.

It will be seen from the foregoing that we have provided a substantially full elliptical substantially unbridged reinforced spring frame construction which may include a continuous tube, with its forward vertex at the ront post and its rear vertex at the rear axle, its lower reach supporting the crank substantially centrally or elsewhere between said vertices, while its upper reach supports the seat substantially centrally or elsewhere between said vertices. The construction is particularly sturdy at the vertices and at the crank support, the forward ends of the sp s bein rigidly joined to the steering post journal, and the rear vertices of the springs being integrally united with the rear axle brackets. The steering post journal may be covered with an aesthetic metal or other shroud which is readilyand securely applied and removed and covers welded, brazed or other joints, making the cleaning of welds unnecessary and thereby expediting the manufacture of the finished article and at the same time improving its appearance. The bight of the front fork may likewise be shielded. The crank is supported in a readily assembled and securely mounted housing over the lower reach of the-elliptical frame. Unusual ranges; of horizontal and verticalladjustment zof k the sseattal-ie: afforded. Varioussmodifications: coni'ingfwit'hin :the :spirit of our invention may suggest -themselVes' to-th0se skilled in'the 'artpand hence we do not w-ish to \be limited to'the specific form-shownor uses mentioned,-except to the-"extent indicated-in theuippended claims, which are to "be interpreted *as broadly as the state of i the art-Will permit.

Weclaiin:

1.'*Bicyc1e construction comprising a"on'e=pi'ece steering post sleeve having alon'gitudinal flat seam 'in the formtof 'a .gusset'at thelrear side thereof,vertieally space'd portions of said sleeve adjacent h said seam being bulged laterally .and affordingv sockets \joined i to said seam by arched g-ussets, v a frame construction .having spaced forwardly extending supper ends and vlower ends disposed in said-tsockets, and :means lintegrally uniting said ends with-said sleeve.

2. l Bicycle construction comprising a steering .p0St-Js1eeVe,- a frame having forwardly-extending upper-and lower ends; means unitingt-said ends to said sleevega shroudiin-fixed-relation to and A 'enveloping said' sleeve an'd ends; said shroudehaving; a.: headlight lens a lamp mounted at the: rear of said; lens, 'sai'dlshroud comprising :an uppersecztionrformed toeenelose the upper 'end of said sleeve and the top of the upper frame end, "apaircf comp'lemerita] .iside sections coverin the lower sideiof 'the "upper-end :of the frame, the remainder of said sleeve ra'nd the i lower v end 0f the frame, :and means joining said sections :with their exposed surfaces substantially flush,- all of said-sections forming a frame for said lens.

3. 'Bicycle construction comprising a one-piece -steering post sleevehaving 'a-longitudinal fiat scam in the form of a gusset at the rear-side thereoflvertically spaced portions of said sleeve "adjacent said "seam being 'bulge'dlaterally and afiording laterally spaced upper sockets and-laterally spacedllower socketsljoined to said seam .by -archedlgussets, a frame constructionvhaving spaced: forwardly extending upper vends and lower ends disposed in said sockets, and means :inte- :grally uniting said ends with .said sleeve.

DEMPSEY.

MARSH-ALL A..BLU. 

